Jetsblog.com matchup

1) NYJ Front Seven vs. L.Tomlinson/D.Sproles – The NYJ front seven has been doing a great job getting to the quarterback and stopping the run so far this season. It will be a tough task this week to stop the run with the 1-2 punch of a former MVP Tomlinson, and the lightning quick Sproles. One issue that the front seven is having is covering running backs out of the backfield in the passing game. At Miami in Week 1, Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams combined for 7 catches. Against New England in Week 2, Kevin Faulk had 4 catches for 50 yards including two that moved the chains, and Sammy Morris added another 2 catches. 13 receptions by opposing running backs after 2 games is a tough pill to swallow. LT and Sproles are backs that can take a 4 yard pass in the flat and turn it into 6 points down the sideline. Stopping the running backs is key this week. Other than covering the backs, the front seven has been tremendous. They will continue to have to plug holes and make tackles at or behind the line of scrimmage. Stopping the run always will be a constant goal that will have to be achieved each week in order for success.

2) Antonio Gates vs. David Harris/Eric Barton/Eric Smith – We all know Antonio Gates is one of the main cogs of the SD offense. He has been a Pro Bowler year in and year out for the past couple of years. When healthy, many scouts view him as the best tight end in the league. He is big in the play action passing game and also can get open on deeper patterns when linebackers and safeties are covering him. Last week we shut down the tight end passing game versus the Patriots, but in Week 1, Anthony Fasano had 8 catches for 84 yards and a touchdown. It will come down to our linebackers and safeties staying with Gates. Pace and Thomas have been let loose to go get the quarterback, while our middle linebackers are usually the players covering tight ends/running backs on the field. Harris, Barton, and E. Smith must all take their turns in making the Gates stay closed in Week 3.

3) Eric Mangini vs. Coaching 101 – Now in his 3rd year as head coach of the NYJ, Coach Mangini has had some ups and downs during his tenure. I like him as a coach but against the Patriots, he let his ego and personal battle get in the way of the game at hand. I feel as if he tried outfoxing the ultimate fox, and over coached the game. Player confusion and burning time outs at non needed times were clearly evident. During his 1st year, he played to the strengths he had and tried to exploit the opponents’ weaknesses. The NYJ got their hands on one of the greatest QB’s in NFL history, and are still playing the ball control conservative offense. Favre might not be fully entrenched with the offense yet, but if he only knows 75% of the plays – make sure out of the 75% there are some passing plays that open up the defense. By no means I am saying to chuck the ball all over the field and avoid running the ball, but just coach to the strengths – which happen to be a Hall of Fame QB and Super Bowl winner Brett Favre.

4) NYJ Kickers’ vs. Themselves – The kicking game has been more atrocious than the secondary that once included Aaron Beasley and Damien Robinson. Let’s start with the kicking game. Jay Feely was 1 for 2 in his first game as a Jet. He missed a 31 yard field goal on the first drive of the game that would have given the Jets an early lead. Clearly not acceptable in big games. Ben Graham’s punting was poor to start the year and now he is being replaced by journeyman punter Reggie Hodges. Hodges has 41 punts in his career with a 37.4 yard average, a long punt of 55 yards, and 9 punts inside the 20 yard line. Hopefully Hodges can improve our special teams play this week. Kicking is key in the NFL. Look at Gostowski’s performance from last week – kicking the ball out of the end zone, keeping the ball out of Leon Washington’s hands, and hitting all his field goal attempts. Can Feely and Hodges rebound and give us good kicking games in San Diego?

5) Darrelle Revis vs. Chris Chambers – With LT and Gates suffering from toe injuries, Chris Chambers has emerged as the offense’s big play threat over the first two weeks. Once again Revis will draw the opponents’ top wide receiver. Over the first two games, Chambers has combined for 127 yards receiving with 3 touchdowns. Revis on the other hand has held Teddy Ginn Jr. (2 catches 17 yards) and Randy Moss (2 catches 22 yards) in check. Rivers likes to sling the ball deep when teams overplay LT and Sproles up front. It will be another test for our second year stud in a nationally televised game on Monday night.